Net Worth Ranker
What Is Robert De Niro’s Net Worth?
Robert De Niro, a celebrated American actor, producer, and director, has amassed a considerable fortune throughout his illustrious career. His net worth is estimated to be around $500 million. This substantial wealth is not solely attributed to his acting endeavors but also to his successful business ventures, most notably as a co-founder of the Nobu restaurant chain, a globally recognized high-end dining experience.
De Niro’s financial standing came to light during his divorce proceedings with Grace Hightower, his wife from 1997 to 2018. Court filings revealed that between 2004 and 2018 alone, De Niro earned between $250 million and $300 million. These earnings stemmed from his acting salaries and dividends from his business investments, particularly the Nobu franchise.
Robert De Niro’s Diverse Income Streams
De Niro’s acting career spans several decades, during which he has starred in numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. His roles in iconic movies like “Taxi Driver,” “Raging Bull,” and “The Godfather Part II” have not only earned him accolades but also significant financial rewards. For “Raging Bull” he gained sixty pounds for the part and won best actor Academy Award.
Beyond acting, De Niro’s entrepreneurial spirit has led him to co-found the Nobu restaurant chain. With over 40 locations worldwide, Nobu generates hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue annually. He is also a co-owner of The Greenwich Hotel in New York, further diversifying his investment portfolio.
In 2017, De Niro and Australian billionaire James Packer announced plans for a luxury resort called “Paradise Found” on the island of Barbuda. This venture underscores De Niro’s commitment to expanding his business interests beyond the entertainment and culinary industries. Furthermore, De Niro played a pivotal role in establishing the Tribeca Film Festival and invested in numerous properties and restaurants in Lower Manhattan, which underscores De Niro’s commitment to the area.
De Niro’s financial acumen extends to real estate. In 2006, he and Grace Hightower purchased a 6,000-square-foot apartment in New York City for $20.9 million from Harvey Weinstein. This apartment, which was listed in April 2024 with an asking price of $20 million, became part of their divorce settlement, with Hightower as the sole owner. He also owns multiple properties both on the East and West Sides of Manhattan.
Details from the Divorce Settlement
The divorce battle between De Niro and Grace Hightower provided insights into the actor’s financial affairs. According to court documents filed by Hightower, De Niro’s net worth is at least $500 million. The prenuptial agreement signed in 2004 stipulated that Hightower would receive $1 million per year for each year of their marriage, a $6 million apartment, $500,000 in cash, and half the value of their primary residence.
A later interpretation of the prenuptial agreement revealed that De Niro was required to pay Hightower $1 million in any year that he earned at least $15 million. If his earnings were less, the payment would be proportionally reduced. During the divorce proceedings, Hightower accused De Niro of unfairly reducing her monthly American Express allowance from $100,000 to $50,000 due to the COVID-19 crisis, which De Niro claimed had significantly impacted his income and business empire. De Niro reportedly borrowed $500,000 to cover Nobu’s mounting debts, with his lawyers claiming the restaurant lost $3 million in April and $1.9 million in May. His lawyers also estimated that De Niro’s earnings for 2020 would be around $7.5 million.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on August 14, 1943, in New York City, Robert De Niro’s parents were both artists. His mother, Virginia Admiral, was a painter, and his father, Robert De Niro Sr., was an abstract expressionist painter and sculptor. De Niro’s parents divorced when he was three, and he was raised by his mother in Greenwich Village. At the age of ten, De Niro made his stage debut as the Cowardly Lion in his school’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.” He attended Stella Adler Conservatory and the Actor’s Studio.
At 16, he dropped out of school to pursue acting. De Niro studied under legendary coaches Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler. By 20, De Niro landed his first film role in Brian De Palma’s “The Wedding Party.” He gained exposure playing a dying baseball player in “Bang the Drum Slowly.” De Niro began a decades-long partnership with Martin Scorsese with “Mean Streets”. In 1974, De Niro earned his first Academy Award portraying a young Don Vito Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather II.” He worked as a taxi driver to prepare for “Taxi Driver.”
Film Career Success and Accolades
De Niro’s career took off after “The Godfather II.” He starred in “Taxi Driver” and “Deer Hunter,” earning another Academy Award nomination for the latter. The phrase “You talkin’ to me” from “Taxi Driver,” which De Niro improvised, became a classic line in American cinema.
In 1980, De Niro played boxer Jack Lamotta in Martin Scorsese’s “Raging Bull.” He learned to box and gained sixty pounds for the role. This effort earned him a Best Actor Academy Award. In 1993, De Niro made his directorial debut with “A Bronx Tale,” written by Chazz Palminteri. De Niro did not return to directing until 2006 with “The Good Shepherd”.
Personal Life and Relationships
De Niro’s first marriage was to actress and singer Diahnne Abbott in 1976. They had a son, Raphael De Niro, born in 1976, who later pursued a career in real estate. De Niro also adopted Abbott’s daughter from a previous relationship, Drena De Niro, who became an actress and model. The couple divorced in 1988.
While married to Abbott, De Niro had a relationship with former model Toukie Smith, resulting in twin sons, Julian Henry and Aaron Kendrick De Niro, born through in vitro fertilization and delivered by a surrogate mother in 1995. In 1997, De Niro married Grace Hightower. They had a son, Elliot De Niro, in 1998. They separated in 2018 and finalized their divorce in 2021. In May 2023, Robert welcomed a seventh child at age 79.
Business Ventures and Investments
Beyond acting, Robert De Niro is the co-founder of the Nobu restaurant chain with Nobu Matsuhisa. Today there are more than 40 Nobu locations around the world and generates several hundred million dollars in revenue every year. Robert is also a co-owner of The Greenwhich Hotel in New York. In 2017, Robert and Australian billionaire James Packer announced a planned luxury resort called “Paradise Found” which will be located on the Eastern Caribbean island of Barbuda.
De Niro’s commitment to the Tribeca area is demonstrated through his investment in the TriBeca film festival, TriBeca productions, and The TriBeca grill. These ventures reflect his dedication to supporting the arts and revitalizing the neighborhood.
Real Estate Holdings
In 2006, Robert and Grace paid $20.9 million for a 6,000-square-foot apartment in New York City. The seller was Harvey Weinstein. Grace received this apartment as part of their divorce. As of April 2024, she listed the apartment as the sole owner with an asking price of $20 million.
In addition to this apartment, De Niro owns multiple properties on both the East and West Sides of Manhattan. These holdings contribute to his overall net worth and demonstrate his diverse investment strategy.
